Senate passes legislation to allow plea-bargaining for traffic tickets in City of Buffalo

by jmaloni

Submitted

Thu, Jun 19th 2014 08:30 am

The New York State
Senate passed legislation sponsored by Sen. Mark Grisanti (R-I-Buffalo) Wednesday
that would allow the City of Buffalo to adjudicate traffic violations with
the option of having a plea bargain.

New York currently
handles traffic tickets within the city and does not allow plea-bargaining, a
major contrast to the plea-bargaining system that is made available
to all other municipalities throughout the state, including all other cities,
towns and villages in Western New York.

Under the proposed
law, drivers would be allowed to argue if the fine should be reduced. Drivers who
commit serious violations could go to driving school to make sure points
are not added to their records, and that their insurance rates do not
increase.

The bill is supported
by City of Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown as well as the Buffalo Common Council, which
recently passed a home rule in support of this. Similar legislation was passed
in 2011. The bill will now be sent to the State Assembly.

"The lack of
plea-bargaining in Buffalo raises insurance rates and is a detriment
to city residents and anyone who works or visits the city," Grisanti
said. "I am glad to have the support of our city officials and remain
hopeful that the members of the Assembly will support this measure and
help to introduce it into law."